Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumI'm still undecided, but Joe has one of the most important qualities in my book
I can trust him on Day One to set things right and repair Trump's damage at home and abroad.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Thekaspervote
(32,806 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
msongs
(67,459 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
katmondoo
(6,457 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
onit2day
(1,201 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)infinitely since then.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
rusty quoin
(6,133 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
samnsara
(17,650 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,788 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Grasswire2
(13,571 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
BigmanPigman
(51,638 posts)so that is a plus right there.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mme. Defarge
(8,052 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Chin music
(23,002 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
onit2day
(1,201 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
KT2000
(20,590 posts)the fire fighters union had to say about him having the track record of working for working people. That is what will sway some voters.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BlueMTexpat
(15,374 posts)because of his demonstrated willingness to bend over backwards to Republicans, just as happened in the Anita Hill hearings and during much of his tenure in the US Senate in the 90s and early 00s.
After all, Joe voted FOR the Iraq war resolution in 2002. And he was supposed to know something about foreign affairs at the time! Both of my MD Senators (Paul Sarbanes and Barbara Mikulski) knew better and voted AGAINST. Even Ben Cardin, currently a Senator, voted "NAY" in the House. WHY did Joe support it?
I am not sure whether he has learned the right lessons about dealing with TODAY'S GOP. He may still be living in the pre-80s past.
I will support him IF he is the nominee. But he will NOT be my choice in the primaries.
I am still "undecided," being especially torn between Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MySideOfTown
(225 posts)in 1991 where Anita Hill was a witness against Thomas. Biden was Chairman of the Judicial Committee. When all was said and done Biden voted against Thomas, so there is that, for which I applaud, if nothing else
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
BlueMTexpat
(15,374 posts)Thomas, he was totally outplayed by GOPers.
See, e.g.: https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/what-joe-biden-hasnt-owned-up-to-about-anita-hill
Biden failed to acknowledge that, as the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1991, he set many of the rules that damaged Hill and determined the over-all fairness of the process. As Jill Abramson and I reported in our 1994 book about the Thomas confirmation fight, Strange Justice, several of Bidens Democratic colleagues in the Senate later acknowledged that, in his eagerness to be impeccably fair to all sides, Biden got outmaneuvered by the Republicans. That left Hill and, ultimately, the truth undefended. As Howard Metzenbaum, a crusty Democrat from Ohio, later admitted, Joe bent over too far backwards to accommodate the Republicans, who were going to get Thomas on the Court come hell or high water. An adviser to Ted Kennedy, the Massachusetts liberal whose own womanizing eroded his credibility, was more critical still, saying, Biden agreed to the terms of the people who were out to disembowel Hill.
Even one of the top lawyers on Bidens Senate staff at the time, Cynthia Hogan, now faults their handling of the hearings. As she admitted this week to the Washington Post, What happened is we got really politically outplayed by the Republicans. Hogan, now the vice-president for public policy for the Americas at Apple, explained that Biden had wanted to be seen as a neutral arbiter, while the Republicans instead wanted to win. They came with a purpose, and that purpose was to destroy Anita Hill. Democrats did not coordinate and they did not prepare for battle. I think he would say that thats what should be done differently.
...
Thomass defenders portrayed Hill as having carefully plotted to bring him down, but, in fact, she twice declined to discuss her allegations with Senate staffers when they contacted her. Eventually, she agreed to do so out of a sense of duty to tell the government the truth. She also agreed to share her story only if her name was kept confidential, and with the understandingwhich proved falsethat her account was one of several such allegations the Senate was investigating.
...
The staffers working for Metzenbaum and Kennedy, however, took Hills allegations more seriously and were the first to reach out to her. They urged Bidens staff to talk to Hill as well. But the effort languished in Bidens office, where his staff followed his personal rules, which went beyond those of the Senate. The aide who investigated the claim, for instance, declined to call Hill, requiring that Hill instead initiate contact. Once they spoke, the aide declined to act on Hills allegation unless Hill consented to Bidens office confronting Thomas directly and disclosing Hills name to him. Hill, who hadnt asked for any of this, demurred. Bidens aide concluded that Hill had merely wanted to get it off her chest. The public, meanwhile, heard nothing about it.
...
Lots more at the link.
My fear is that Joe is still too much "go along to get along." In this sense, he may STILL underestimate TODAY'S GOPers.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Redacted report, IRS guy said FU, nothing asked for gotten, no supeonas honored.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BlueMTexpat
(15,374 posts)Not sure how that really responds to my post.
But if it makes you feel better ... OK.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)off than today? When we've got obstruction clear as mud and choose to got to the WH, acting like all is normal. Like trump deserves respect? Back then, there was accommodation between the sides. Today, Biden is using the "I" word, thank God for that.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BlueMTexpat
(15,374 posts)what we currently have is awful, unacceptable and should be fought against in every way possible. Bad as any previous R Occupant of the WH (I REFUSE EVER to call the Orange Criminal-in-Chief President) has been, Trump is the WORST possible outcome.
All I'm saying is that we have some truly excellent Dem candidates in the primaries - none of whom is perfect - but who do not have the baggage that will certainly come back to bite Biden throughout his campaigning.
The primaries should give us all an opportunity to see how he handles himself when confronted with this baggage. And you can be sure that the mistakenly-labelled "liberal" media will pounce on any and all gaffes. They already are.
Joe was unquestionably an excellent VP with Prez O. But there are reasons why he was not a success when he ran for the Top Job in previous election cycles.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)can pick at. And, baggage that trump can or can't easily pick at.
Like it would be easy for Warren, for instance to criticize Biden's more moderate view (seeing the corporate and individual sides)on passing legislation because she leans much more to the individual side. Yet can't see this being something trump could fault Biden for. (I know, trump can just make up shit, but for argument sake, don't see a huge, lasting issue here). Same with Clarence Thomas...valid Dem issue, how Biden handled, but what's trump gonna say? "You helped get a conservative on the bench, you are so bad?"
On the other hand, running a good more progressive most certainly gives trump lots of ammunition and fodder.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
onit2day
(1,201 posts)Joe Biden Expresses Regret to Anita Hill, but She Says Im Sorry Is Not Enough
Anita Hills name was trending on Twitter on Thursday as many women said they supported her and, by clear implication, not Joseph R. Biden Jr.CreditElizabeth D. Herman for The New York Times. NYT article shows just how upsetting Biden's behavior was...how angry and accusing he was. Better we confront it now. Better be cautious as Biden has 45yrs of baggage pos. and neg. A snapshot profile is a mistake.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Lady_Chat
(561 posts)It is her right not to accept his apology if she so chooses. She was not treated fairly, but I think a lot was learned so nothing like that would ever happen again. in the end Biden did vote against Thomas. While she feels an apology is not enough from Biden, she has stated it should not disqualify him from running for the presidency. I think Biden's 1994 Violence against Women Act shows where his heart is, it has helped so many victims of domestic violence. Republicans always have difficulty with renewing it , which shows how truly heartless they are when it comes to caring about women.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
samnsara
(17,650 posts)...so hes got my support.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BlueMTexpat
(15,374 posts)"purity" test based on any single action, if you are implying that they are.
They are based on his pattern of behavior in the Senate in the 90s which even many of his Dem colleagues there found wanting.
I am not sure that he has learned from those experiences. The fact is that his belated non-apology "apology" to Anita Hill does not reassure me that he has. The fact that he vacillated so much before - finally - getting into the race also does not reassure me.
I also find it interesting that male candidates literally have their pasts airbrushed, while females are criticized no matter what they do. In 2016, Hillary was literally pilloried for the 1994 crime bill and SHE was NOT even in the Senate at the time. Joe WAS. And HE not only voted FOR it but was very active in getting the bill passed.
I'm glad that he has your support.
But he will NOT have mine in the primaries. There are better alternatives, IMO.
After the primaries, we'll see how things shake out.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
onit2day
(1,201 posts)by our candidate
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Showing 45% approval. He can effin win with 45.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to RandySF (Original post)
RandiFan1290 This message was self-deleted by its author.
Cha
(297,788 posts)is Now.
Biden has a lot of great accomplishments, and a lot of that is in his 8 years as VP working with President Obama.
The OP is right.. "I can trust him on Day One to set things right and repair Trump's damage at home and abroad."
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)I'm not sure he can ever get past this achievement of his.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Cha
(297,788 posts)it's not up to you.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
onit2day
(1,201 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)I can think of other old candidates who deliver those along with scant "action" taken on their "bold new" policies.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
SharonClark
(10,014 posts)Just saying.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,338 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Kahuna7
(2,531 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
OhZone
(3,212 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Kahuna7
(2,531 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BannonsLiver
(16,505 posts)I feel the same way about Bernie a lot of the time. Hes not suited to be president.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)As did many others.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
samnsara
(17,650 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)In 1998 Sanders voted in favor of the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998, which said: It should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove the regime headed by Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq and to promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime.
Later that same year, Sanders also backed a resolution that stated: Congress reaffirms that it should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove the regime headed by Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq and to promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
progressoid
(50,000 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
BlueFlorida
(1,532 posts)He hired Jill Stein voters to his campaign.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
progressoid
(50,000 posts)He voted for the Iraq war. And he pushed the Bankruptcy Reform Act through. And his enthusiastic war on drugs. And he said Pence is a "decent guy." And the Anita Hill debacle. And...
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
samnsara
(17,650 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
progressoid
(50,000 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,710 posts)He is the one who can beat Trump...Biden is honest and says what he thinks...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
progressoid
(50,000 posts)She is the one who can beat Trump...Hillary is honest and says what she thinks...
Also true. And yet...
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,710 posts)side talking about write ins. This is not 2016...Trump must go.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
progressoid
(50,000 posts)Well, yeah. You're probably right about that. She did kind of criticize him in her book.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,710 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to progressoid (Reply #25)
BlueFlorida This message was self-deleted by its author.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
progressoid
(50,000 posts)Sure, he's supported a lot of conservative policies, but that was in the past. He's like super progressive now. He said so.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
world wide wally
(21,756 posts)I will trust him.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BlueFlorida
(1,532 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Kahuna7
(2,531 posts)That's what is should be about.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Stuart G
(38,449 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
patphil
(6,230 posts)and I think Joe Biden is well aware of what is at stake here.
After 8 years of watching the Republicans show utter contempt for Barack Obama, I am pretty sure he will come prepared for the knock-down, drag-em-out brawl that is going to mark the 2020 Presidential election.
He is already showing that in his early statements.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
yellowdogintexas
(22,278 posts)He opened as an attack dog and he is the one candidate who is in a prime position to do that.
He won't pull any punches.
If he is not the nominee he will still be out there as the attack dog supporting the nominee
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
samnsara
(17,650 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to samnsara (Reply #26)
Post removed
The Wielding Truth
(11,415 posts)He is a man of the people and has a heart. He can negotiate with reason and common sense. He is mostly the opposite of a reckless greedy scumbag. I do like the other candidates, too. Biden seems the least likely to fold under to anything that Trump would vomit up.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
oasis
(49,426 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
nolabear
(41,993 posts)and say Hey! Its Joe. Were sorry about that detour. Lets get back to work. No intro needed.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
onit2day
(1,201 posts)that we are basically '70s republicans. I want Medicare for all, the green new deal, SS benefits increased, free public education, livable wages, corporate regulations, renewable energy and get off fossil fuels, low drug prices, Wealth equality, nuclear free world...all of which can be accomplished within the next few years. What do you want?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)GWB acknowledged climate change - does that make any Democrat that does now "Bush lite?"
I don't recall 70's GOP supporting Planned Parenthood, Roe v Wade, affirmative action, the Voting Rights Act, the ERA, the UN, welcoming immigrants.
I guess if one is a white straight male, those things aren't really "relevant."
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden